Best Cordless Angle Grinders in 2026: Milwaukee vs DeWalt vs Makita
The best cordless angle grinder, once the format is already cordless, is the bare tool that matches the batteries on the truck. For M18 that is the Milwaukee 2880-20. For 20V MAX it is the DeWalt DCG413B. For 18V LXT it is the Makita XAG04Z. For Bosch 18V, the GWS18V-45 is still listed, and it is a four-brush grinder, not the KickBack Control model.
Criteria, up front: brushless where the current SKU is brushless, a paddle in preference to a lock-on slide, a brake or clutch when the manufacturer lists one, a 4.5-inch or 4.5/5-inch wheel with a matching guard, and a bare-tool price in the bands below. No-load speed here is 8,500, 9,000, or 10,000 RPM by model. It is not one shared 9,000 RPM spec.
Still deciding corded versus cordless? Use the corded vs cordless angle grinder guide. No packs yet, or a ceiling near $100? Start with angle grinders under $100. The ecosystem choice is the battery platform comparison. Disc type and grit are on the angle grinder discs guide.
Affiliate disclosure: Tool Advisor Pro may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Price bands are planning ranges. Confirm the live price, the exact SKU, and the spec sheet before buying.
Key Specifications That Matter Mid-Job
No-load RPM is free-spin speed, not a measured cut rate. The 2880-20 page states 8,500 RPM. DeWalt’s DCG413 family manual and Asia page list 9,000 RPM for the DCG413 / DCG413B. Makita lists 8,500 RPM for the XAG04Z. Bosch lists 10,000/min for the GWS18V-45. Under load, brushless electronics may hold speed or cut power to protect the pack. Milwaukee’s “11A corded power” and “135 cuts” lines are manufacturer claims tied to an XC6.0 pack, not a runtime to schedule.
Switch. A paddle runs while the hand holds it. A slide with lock-on is built to stay running. The 2880-20 is paddle, no lock. The DCG413B is a two-stage paddle. The XAG04Z and the GWS18V-45 can lock on.
Spindle, guard, brake. All four use 5/8-11. A disc fits only when diameter, guard, and the wheel’s maximum RPM match. ANSI B7.1 requires the wheel rating to equal or exceed the grinder. The 2880-20 manual allows 4.5-inch wheels only with 4.5-inch guards and 5-inch wheels only with 5-inch guards. RAPIDSTOP on the 2880-20 and the DCG413B brake are both described as stopping in about 2 seconds or less. The XAG04Z lists electric brake as no, and AFT bind-up control as yes. The GWS18V-45 manual lists restart protection, not KickBack Control.
Weight. Bare weight and weight with a pack are different numbers, and these sheets do not use one method. Working weight for the 2880-20, shared with the compare page, is 3.1 lb bare and 5.5 lb with a battery. Manual 58-14-0243 does not list weight. The 5.5 lb figure is the weight line on Milwaukee’s 2021 press release for the 2880-22 kit, and dealer sheets list 3.1 lb excluding the battery. DeWalt’s Asia page lists the DCG413B at 1.7 kg (about 3.7 lb) with no battery included. The US English page does not publish RPM or weight. Makita publishes 5.6 lb with a battery for the XAG04Z and no separate bare weight. At those figures the DCG413B is not the lighter bare tool.
Brushless means no carbon brushes to service and electronics that manage overload. It does not mean the cordless tool outcuts a corded grinder of the same disc size.
Comparison Table
| Model | Platform | No-load RPM | Disc | Switch | Brake / clutch | Weight | Warranty | Bare price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee 2880-20 | M18 | 8,500 | 4.5” or 5”, matching guard | Paddle, no lock | RAPIDSTOP under 2 s; electronic clutch | 3.1 lb bare / 5.5 lb with pack | 5-year program — confirm | $130–$165, verify |
| DeWalt DCG413B | 20V MAX (18 V nominal) | 9,000 | 4.5” US guard | Two-stage paddle | Kickback brake; 2 s or less | 1.7 kg (about 3.7 lb), Asia page | 3-year limited, 1 year free service | $100–$140, verify |
| Makita XAG04Z | 18V LXT | 8,500 | 4.5” or 5” | Slide, lock-on | No electric brake; AFT bind-up | 5.6 lb with battery | 3-year limited | $110–$145, verify |
| Bosch GWS18V-45 | 18V, not PROFACTOR | 10,000 | 4.5” Type 27 max | Slide, lock-on | Restart protection; no KickBack Control | Not in the 2015 manual | Confirm 18V coverage | $120–$155, verify |
Top Cordless Angle Grinders
Milwaukee 2880-20 M18 FUEL — Best Overall
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Platform | M18, 18 V DC |
| Motor | POWERSTATE brushless |
| No-load speed | 8,500 RPM |
| Disc | 4.5” or 5”; 5” × 1/4” maximum; matching guard |
| Switch | Paddle, no lock |
| Brake / clutch | RAPIDSTOP under 2 seconds; electronic clutch |
| Weight | 3.1 lb bare / 5.5 lb with a battery (not in the manual) |
| Warranty | 5-year cordless program — confirm |
| Price | $130–$165 bare, verify |
Check Milwaukee 2880-20 price on Amazon →
The product page and manual 58-14-0243 both list 8,500 RPM, not 9,000. The guard adjusts without a tool, and the same bare tool takes 4.5-inch or 5-inch accessories when the guard matches. Ambient range in the manual is 0°F to 125°F. Cold-pack behavior stays on the compare page.
Best for: M18 owners who want a paddle, a brake, a clutch, and both disc sizes.
DeWalt DCG413B 20V MAX — Best for DeWalt
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Platform | 20V MAX; nominal voltage 18 V |
| Motor | Brushless |
| No-load speed | 9,000 RPM (manual N505670 and Asia page; not on the US English page) |
| Disc | 4.5” Type 27 guard in the US tool-only package |
| Switch | Two-stage paddle |
| Brake / clutch | Kickback brake; stops in 2 seconds or less |
| Weight | 1.7 kg (about 3.7 lb) on the Asia page |
| Warranty | 3-year limited, 1 year free service, 90 days |
| Price | $100–$140 bare, verify |
Check DeWalt DCG413B price on Amazon →
The US page confirms brushless, paddle, kickback brake, the 2-second brake claim, the 4.5-inch guard, tool-only sale, and the warranty. Manual N505670 lists 9,000 rpm and 800 W for the DCG413 in the Spanish specification block. The Asia page lists 9,000 RPM, 1.7 kg, kickback brake, and E-clutch. Same figures as the compare page. Overhead work is a reason to want the paddle and the brake. It is not a verified bare-weight win over the 2880-20.
Best for: 20V MAX owners who want a paddle grinder with a kickback brake.
Makita XAG04Z 18V LXT — Best for Makita
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Platform | 18V LXT |
| Motor | Brushless |
| No-load speed | 8,500 RPM |
| Disc | 4.5” or 5” |
| Switch | Body-grip slide, lock-on |
| Brake / clutch | Electric brake no; AFT bind-up control yes |
| Weight | 5.6 lb with battery |
| Warranty | 3-year limited |
| Price | $110–$145 bare, verify |
Check Makita XAG04Z price on Amazon →
Makita’s current XAG04Z page is still the tool-only 18V LXT 4.5/5-inch brushless grinder: Automatic Speed Change, Star Protection, and anti-restart if a battery goes in with the switch locked on. The switch is a slide with lock-on, not a paddle. Makita also lists an XAG20Z paddle in this disc class. This shortlist stays on one LXT model, the XAG04Z, and does not add XGT or X-LOCK.
Best for: LXT owners who accept a lock-on slide and want the current tool-only 4.5/5-inch LXT grinder.
Bosch GWS18V-45 — Bosch 18V 4.5-Inch Option
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Platform | Bosch 18V. Not PROFACTOR |
| Motor | Four-brush |
| No-load speed | 10,000/min |
| Disc | 4.5” maximum Type 27 |
| Switch | Slide on-off with lock |
| Brake / clutch | Restart protection. No KickBack Control on this SKU |
| Weight | Not in manual 2610041372 |
| Warranty | Confirm current 18V coverage |
| Price | $120–$155 bare, verify |
Check Bosch GWS18V-45 price on Amazon →
Bosch’s GWS18V-45B15 kit page still includes a GWS18V-45 and describes a four-brush motor at 10,000 rpm with restart protection. Amazon listing B01IDBEKEY is the bare tool and uses the same description, so the SKU stays on the shortlist. Manual 2610041372 lists the slide switch, 5/8-11 spindle, and 4.5-inch Type 27 maximum. The 2015 manual secures the guard with a hex wrench; current Bosch and Amazon copy say tool-less quick-change. Confirm the guard on the tool you receive.
KickBack Control, a brushless motor, 9,000 RPM, and 4.4 lb are the GWS18V-45CN, a different SKU. The current no-lock paddle brushless 4.5/5-inch Bosch tool is the GWS18V-10PN. PROFACTOR cordless grinders are the 5-inch to 6-inch GWS18V-13 class. None of those replaced the GWS18V-45, because this 4.5-inch SKU is still sold. Read the suffix on the carton if the requirement is the sensor or the paddle.
Best for: Bosch 18V owners who want this brushed 4.5-inch tool and accept a lock-on slide.
Farm, Shop, and Jobsite Use
These notes assume cordless is already the choice. Sessions past about 15–20 minutes, and any first grinder with no packs, belong on the compare page.
- Fence, gate, and implement cuts away from an outlet: the bare tool that matches the packs you already own.
- Intermittent weld cleanup at a fab bench: the same bare tool, plus a second pack. Continuous grinding at that bench still favors corded.
- Scaffold, roof, and ladder work: 2880-20 or DCG413B, because the paddle is the drop case.
- An M18 truck that uses both 4.5-inch and 5-inch wheels: 2880-20, with both guards.
- 20V MAX overhead punch lists: DCG413B for the paddle and the kickback brake.
- An LXT truck: XAG04Z, and say out loud that the slide can lock on.
What You’ll Also Need
Grit, flap shape, and cut-off thickness are on the discs guide. Every wheel’s maximum RPM must meet or exceed the grinder, per ANSI B7.1.
- Type 27 grinding discs on Amazon
- Thin cut-off wheels on Amazon
- Type 29 flap discs on Amazon
- Knotted wire cup on Amazon
- Side handle on Amazon — these tools are built for two hands
- Face shield and safety glasses on Amazon, plus hearing protection and gloves
Who This Is NOT For
- No platform, or this is the first grinder. Buy corded. Use the under-$100 guide and the format guide.
- Sustained production grinding. Overload protection will interrupt the cut. Corded is the duty tool.
- A few weekend cuts a year. The cordless premium is mobility for people who already own packs.
- Aggressive masonry or concrete. A 4.5-inch cordless grinder is the wrong tool. Use a larger corded grinder or a dedicated cut-off saw, and match the wheel RPM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cordless angle grinder for contractors?
For a contractor who already owns M18 batteries, the Milwaukee 2880-20 is the pick on this page: paddle with no lock, RAPIDSTOP brake, electronic clutch, 8,500 RPM, and 4.5-inch or 5-inch wheels with a matching guard. DeWalt 20V MAX owners should buy the DCG413B. Makita 18V LXT owners should buy the XAG04Z, which is a slide switch with lock-on, not a paddle. Bosch 18V owners looking at the GWS18V-45 are looking at a four-brush, 10,000/min, lock-on slide tool, not a brushless KickBack Control model. Match the platform already owned before comparing RPM.
Milwaukee vs DeWalt vs Makita cordless angle grinder — which should I buy?
Buy the grinder that uses the packs already on the shelf. The Milwaukee 2880-20 and the DeWalt DCG413B are both paddle grinders with a brake the manufacturer describes as stopping in about 2 seconds or less. The 2880-20 is 8,500 RPM and accepts 4.5-inch or 5-inch wheels with the matching guard. The DCG413B is listed at 9,000 RPM and the US package includes a 4.5-inch guard. The Makita XAG04Z is 8,500 RPM and 4.5/5-inch, with a slide switch that can lock on and with no electric brake. Those differences do not justify a second battery system for one grinder.
What is a cordless flathead grinder?
In search, cordless flathead grinder is usually slang for a cordless angle grinder, the tool whose head sits at a right angle to the body. This page is that shortlist. Milwaukee also sells a separate low-profile tool it names a flathead braking grinder, catalog number 2886-20. That tool is not the 2880-20, and it is not ranked here.
Paddle switch vs trigger on cordless angle grinders — which is safer?
A paddle switch runs only while the hand holds it down, so releasing the grip is supposed to stop the tool. A slide switch with lock-on can keep the wheel spinning after the tool leaves the hand. On this shortlist the Milwaukee 2880-20 is a paddle with no lock, and the DeWalt DCG413B is a two-stage paddle. The Makita XAG04Z and the Bosch GWS18V-45 are slide switches that can lock on. ANSI B7.1 still requires the wheel’s rated speed to meet or exceed the grinder, and it requires a guard. Switch type is the operator-control difference on top of that.
What size cordless angle grinder should I buy, 4.5 inch or 5 inch?
A 4.5-inch grinder is the default for rebar, weld cleanup, and most truck work because the discs are easy to find. A 5-inch wheel removes more per pass and needs a 5-inch guard. The Milwaukee 2880-20 manual says to use 4.5-inch wheels only with 4.5-inch guards and 5-inch wheels only with 5-inch guards. The Makita XAG04Z is sold as a 4.5/5-inch tool. The DeWalt DCG413B US package includes a 4.5-inch Type 27 guard. The Bosch GWS18V-45 manual lists a 4.5-inch maximum Type 27 wheel; the 5-inch model in that same manual is the GWS18V-50.
Are cordless angle grinders as powerful as corded?
A cordless grinder in this class can keep up on short cuts. It does not match a corded grinder across a long grinding session, because the pack is finite and the electronics reduce output to protect the pack and the motor. Duty cycle, cold-weather runtime, and the corded-versus-cordless buy rules are on the corded vs cordless angle grinder guide. This page assumes the format is already cordless.
Related Guides
- Corded vs Cordless Angle Grinders — format decision, duty cycle, and cost
- Best Angle Grinders Under $100 — budget corded scorecard
- Best Angle Grinder Discs — flaps, cut-off wheels, Type 27, wire wheels
- DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs Makita Battery Platform — which system to commit to
- Power tools, shop tools, and farm tools
Sources
- Milwaukee 2880-20 product page and manual 58-14-0243, revision d1 checked: 18 V DC, 8,500 RPM, paddle no-lock, RAPIDSTOP under 2 seconds, electronic clutch, 5/8”-11, 5 in × 1/4 in max, matching guards, 0°F to 125°F. Weight is not in the spec table. Working weight is 3.1 lb bare / 5.5 lb with a battery, from dealer sheets and the 5.5 lb line on the 2021 2880-22 press release.
- DeWalt DCG413B US page: brushless, two-stage paddle, kickback brake, brake in 2 seconds or less, 4.5 in guard, 3-year limited warranty, 1 year free service. RPM and weight are not on that English page. Manual N505670 Spanish block: DCG413, 800 W, 9,000 rpm. Asia page: 9,000 RPM, 1.7 kg, E-clutch.
- Makita XAG04Z page: 8,500 RPM, 4.5/5 in, slide with lock-on, electric brake no, AFT yes, 5.6 lb with battery, 3-year limited warranty.
- Bosch manual 2610041372 and the GWS18V-45B15 kit page, plus Amazon B01IDBEKEY: four-brush, 10,000/min, slide with lock, 4.5 in Type 27 max, restart protection. GWS18V-45CN and the PROFACTOR GWS18V-13 class are different tools.
- ANSI B7.1 — abrasive wheel speed, guards, and mounting.